Cable Testing Equipment for Hire
Introduction
Cable testing is a high-stakes discipline. Field tests on installed cables are routinely the last gate before energisation, and the wrong test method or voltage profile can damage XLPE insulation, joints and terminations rather than verify them. The IEEE 400 series, IEC 60840, IEC 62067 and IEC 60229 set out the field test methods Australian asset owners and contractors are expected to follow. Megavar’s hire fleet is built around the test methods these standards specify, not around general-purpose hipot equipment repurposed for cable work.
The fleet covers the three cable test methods that matter on Australian transmission and distribution networks. VLF withstand testing at 0.1 Hz from the HVA range for after-laying acceptance and maintenance on extruded cables up to 60 kV. AC withstand testing at 50 Hz from the Phenix BK130, Phenix 6CP50, Phenix 500 kV resonant set and SUTE 300 kV resonant set, covering MV through transmission-class cable circuits up to 500 kV where IEC 60840 and IEC 62067 require energisation-frequency withstand. Tan delta and insulation resistance diagnostics from the Omicron CPX 200 with HVX10, the Omicron CPC 100 with CP TD1, the HVA 28 kV integrated tan delta set and the Megger MIT 5 kV and 10 kV insulation testers for condition assessment and acceptance work.
Cable accessory testing is supported by Pfisterer CONNEX Test and Transition Connectors in Sizes 2 and 3 for HV pressure testing, and Pfisterer CONNEX Grounding and Current Testing Connectors in Sizes 0 and 1 for primary current injection and earth-bond verification on CONNEX-socketed cable accessories. These are the connection components most cable test set-ups on transmission projects depend on. Hire from our offices in Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Newcastle, with delivery Australia-wide and engineer-led support from a team that performs cable testing as a core service.
Cable Testing Applications and Standards
The fleet supports four broad cable testing scenarios across medium-voltage and high-voltage networks.
After-laying tests on new and replacement cables
After-laying tests verify that a newly installed cable, its joints and its terminations have been built to the design and have not been damaged during installation. IEEE 400-2012 is the omnibus standard. For extruded cables, IEEE 400.2 specifies VLF withstand at 0.1 Hz, typically at 3 times the rated phase-to-ground voltage U0 over 60 minutes. For transmission-class cables, IEC 60840 (60 to 150 kV) and IEC 62067 (above 150 kV) require AC withstand testing at energisation frequency, which is achieved with resonant test sets sized to the cable capacitance and length.
Maintenance and condition assessment
Periodic diagnostic testing supports asset management on aged cable circuits. Tan delta and dissipation factor measurements at multiple voltage steps detect insulation degradation, water tree development and accessory faults before they fail in service. Insulation resistance testing with Polarisation Index and Dielectric Absorption Ratio remains a baseline check that should precede any higher-voltage test, and is required by AS/NZS 4853 and most utility commissioning procedures.
Fault verification after repair
After a fault location and repair sequence, the cable must be re-tested before re-energisation. The same VLF or AC resonant procedure used at commissioning is normally repeated, often at a reduced voltage profile per IEEE 400 maintenance recommendations. The test confirms that the repair has not introduced a new weakness and that adjacent joints and terminations have not been disturbed.
Cable sheath integrity testing
Cable sheath testing per IEC 60229 verifies the integrity of the outer non-conductive jacket on single-core HV cables and single-point-bonded systems. Sheath tests are typically applied between the metallic sheath or screen and earth in the 3 to 10 kV range. Sheath integrity testing requires DC capability and is not in the current Megavar hire fleet; for sheath integrity work specifically, contact the Megavar engineering team on 1300 730 499 to discuss alternative arrangements or referral.
When to Hire vs Buy
Cable testing equipment ranges from a 5 kV insulation tester at the low-cost end to a 500 kV resonant test set on a flatbed trailer at the high-cost end. The hire-versus-buy decision turns on utilisation, capital tolerance and how often the equipment changes generation.
Hire from Megavar when...
- You need a specialised test method for one project
- Capital is constrained or commissioning rates do not justify outright purchase
- Calibration and freight on owned equipment would exceed hire cost
- You need engineer-led test plans and acceptance criteria, not just the equipment
- The project demands the latest generation of equipment and current calibration
- You want flexibility to scale up multiple test sets in parallel during a peak window
Consider purchasing when...
- Your team performs the same test method on more than 50 days per year
- You have in-house cable testing engineers who are competent on the platform
- Your projects are remote enough that hire freight outweighs purchase plus calibration
- You require permanent on-call availability that hire cannot guarantee
- Your asset management programme commits to a multi-year condition assessment cycle
- You can amortise the unit over its expected service life of 10 to 15 years
Cable Testing Equipment
Available for Hire
Omicron
The Omicron CPX 200 is a next-generation multifunctional test set for commissioning, maintenance, and condition assessment of medium and high-voltage …
The Omicron HVX10 is a compact 10 kV AC/DC high-voltage source that attaches to the CPX 200 multifunctional test set via Omicron’s Click-Snap-Lock mec…
The Omicron CPC 100 is a universal primary injection test system designed for high-precision testing of power transformers, CTs, VTs, circuit breakers…
The CP + TD1 is a powerful test accessory designed for use with the OMICRON CPC 100 to perform accurate tan delta (dissipation factor) and capacitance…
The CP CU1 enables the CPC 100 to perform impedance and earthing measurements that the CPC 100 alone cannot deliver. The CPC 100 generates the test si…
The MIT 5kV Insulation Resistance Tester is a compact and reliable digital megohmmeter used for insulation testing of cables, motors, generators, swit…
The MIT 10kV Insulation Resistance Tester is a high-voltage digital megohmmeter designed for advanced insulation testing on critical electrical infras…
The BK130 High Voltage Withstand Test Set is a portable AC dielectric test system capable of generating up to 130 kV at 50 mA (5 minute duty), 33.3 mA…
The 6CP50 High Voltage Withstand Test Set is a portable 50 kV AC test system designed for performing dielectric withstand (hipot) testing on cables, s…
The Phenix High Voltage Resonant Test Set is a sophisticated system designed for conducting overvoltage power frequency tests on capacitive samples, o…
The SUTE ST3598Z Series High Voltage Resonant Test Set, manufactured by Nanjing Sute Electric Co., Ltd., is a specialised system engineered for AC wit…
The HVA 60 is a high-performance Very Low Frequency (VLF) test set designed for testing high-voltage cables, rotating machinery, switchgear, and other…
The HVA 28 is a compact, portable Very Low Frequency (VLF) high voltage test set with integrated Tan Delta (TD) diagnostic capability, designed for te…
The Pfisterer Test and Transition Connector (Size 2) is a high-performance separable inner cone connector designed for terminating high-voltage single…
The CONNEX socket is a separable bushing interface used widely on European-supplied transformers, switchgear, and instrument transformers. The Pfister…
Calibration
All Megavar test equipment is maintained under a documented calibration programme. Instruments are calibrated either by external calibration laboratories or in-house against reference standards that are themselves laboratory-calibrated, with measurement traceable to Australian national measurement standards held by the National Measurement Institute. A current calibration certificate is available on request. If your project requires a specific calibration interval, test standard, or documentation for a client submission, tell us at enquiry on 1300 730 499 and we will confirm what applies before you commit.
Megger
Phenix
HVA / b2 HV Test
Pfisterer
Get a quote for cable testing equipment hire
Australia-wide delivery, current calibration, engineer-led support. Most enquiries quoted same business day.
Talk to our engineers about your project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
for Cable Test Equipment
What equipment is needed to test high-voltage cables?
A full HV cable test typically requires four classes of equipment: an insulation resistance tester for the pre-test check (Megger MIT 5 kV or 10 kV), a withstand test set sized to the cable rating and length (VLF for MV extruded cables, AC resonant for transmission), a tan delta or partial discharge diagnostic accessory for condition assessment, and the connection components to interface to the cable accessories (Pfisterer CONNEX Test and Transition Connectors for HV pressure testing, and CONNEX Grounding and Current Testing Connectors for primary injection and earth-bond). The exact mix depends on cable voltage class, length and the standards that apply to the project.
What is VLF cable testing?
Very low frequency (VLF) cable testing applies a withstand voltage at 0.1 Hz rather than 50 Hz, typically at 3 times the rated phase-to-ground voltage over 60 minutes per IEEE 400.2. The low frequency dramatically reduces the capacitive charging current the test set must supply, which makes it practical to apply withstand voltages on long MV and HV cable circuits from a portable instrument. VLF has largely replaced DC hipot for after-laying acceptance on extruded XLPE cables, because DC hipot can damage XLPE through space-charge accumulation.
Should I use VLF or AC withstand testing for XLPE cables?
What is the difference between VLF and AC resonant cable testing?
VLF and AC resonant are both AC withstand methods. VLF operates at 0.1 Hz and uses a portable test set, suited to MV cables and shorter HV runs up to about 60 kV. AC resonant operates at 50 Hz, the cable’s normal operating frequency, and uses a tuned reactor matched to the cable capacitance. Resonant sets are larger and require trailer or container mounting but they are the only practical method for transmission-class cables, and they are what IEC 60840 (60 to 150 kV) and IEC 62067 (above 150 kV) specify for after-laying tests.
Do you provide cable testing engineers as well as the equipment?
Yes. Megavar provides full cable testing services using the equipment in this rental fleet, including test plan development against IEEE 400, IEC 60840, IEC 62067 and IEC 60229, on-site execution, and acceptance documentation. If your project requires a turnkey service rather than equipment hire alone, contact us with the cable schedule, voltage class and standards that apply, and we will quote a full scope.
What is tan delta testing and when is it done on cables?
VLF and AC resonant are both AC withstand methods. VLF operates at 0.1 Hz and uses a portable test set, suited to MV cables and shorter HV runs up to about 60 kV. AC resonant operates at 50 Hz, the cable’s normal operating frequency, and uses a tuned reactor matched to the cable capacitance. Resonant sets are larger and require trailer or container mounting but they are the only practical method for transmission-class cables, and they are what IEC 60840 (60 to 150 kV) and IEC 62067 (above 150 kV) specify for after-laying tests.
How do you test a cable after laying?
After-laying tests follow IEEE 400-2012 (extruded cables) or IEC 60840 / IEC 62067 (transmission cables). The standard sequence is: visual inspection and continuity check, insulation resistance test at 5 or 10 kV with PI and DAR, sheath integrity test per IEC 60229 where applicable, withstand test (VLF or AC resonant), and a tan delta or partial discharge diagnostic where the project specification calls for one. The Megavar engineering team can develop a project-specific cable test plan against the relevant standards if required.
Can I hire cable test equipment for just one project window?
Yes. Hire periods range from a single day for a commissioning check through to multi-month project rentals. The 500 kV resonant set, the 300 kV SUTE resonant set and the HVA 60 kV VLF set are high-demand items so booking the equipment as soon as the project window is known is recommended. Call 1300 730 499 to confirm availability.
Do you deliver cable testing equipment Australia-wide?
Why Hire from Megavar
Megavar is a specialist HV testing and commissioning firm with offices in Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Newcastle. We perform cable testing as a core service on transmission and distribution projects every week, including for ElectraNet, TasNetworks, Downer, Acciona and Zinfra/Jemena. The hire fleet exists because we built it for our own commissioning teams first, and we maintain it to the standard those teams require.
When you hire cable testing equipment from Megavar you receive: full current calibration with NATA-traceable certificates, complete accessory and lead sets, a configuration tailored to your scope, and engineer-led pre-hire briefings on test set-up and acceptance criteria. Our engineers can advise on test plan development, expected results, common pitfalls, and the difference between a marginal pass and a genuine cable defect. Where the project demands a turnkey service rather than equipment hire alone, we can quote on the full commissioning scope.
Hire periods are flexible from single-day commissioning checks through to multi-month project rentals. Delivery is Australia-wide. Call 1300 730 499 or email rentals@megavar.com.au.
Enquire about Cable Testing Equipment Hire
Tell us about your project and we will get back to you within 24 hours with availability and a quote.
Or call us directly on 1300 730 499
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